548 DECEPTION ISLAND. 
and on approaching the place, found that it was the crater of an 
extinct volcano. It was situated about six hundred yards from the 
beach, from which it was separated by a strip of low land; on the 
other sides it was bounded by high hills. The crater had fallen in, 
and was filled with salt water. It was probably three-fourths of a 
mile in circumference, and the banks of the pond or crater were from 
fifteen to forty feet high. Around this crater there were many smaller 
ones, varying from a foot toa yard square; and on the side farthest 
from the bay there were numerous hot springs, some in ebullition, and 
every crack in the earth emitted steam. 
About the mouth of one of the small craters there was a lining of 
lichen, which appeared to be the only kind of vegetation on the island. 
Crystallized salt was found attached to stones, where it had been de- 
posited by the evaporation of sea-water. Other steaming hills were 
observed in the distance, but were not visited for want of time. 
Proceeding in a boat from the volcano just mentioned, we sailed 
along that side of the harbour. We found a beautiful gravel beach, 
and passed many singular peaks, cones, arches, and columns of rock, 
and one which was an inverted pyramid sixty feet high. Some 
scoria was here collected that was light enough to float. 
The appearances of volcanic action were as conspicuous in all parts 
of the island as in that above described, the only difference being that 
the eruptions there may have been the most recent. 
The shape of the island is like that of a large volcanic mountain, 
half submerged, in which the crater communicates with the sea, and 
thus has become a harbour; and the small craters of the surface are 
probably subordinate points of eruption around this former centre. 
According to an account of this island, received from Captain 
Smiley by Captain Wilkes, subsequent to the return of the Expedi- 
tion, the whole south side, in February, 1842, appeared as if on fire ; 
and thirteen volcanoes were observed in action. 
